So, I understand that I've been neglecting this, but internet access has been limited.  Also, I can't seem to find my notes from the trip.  Here's a brief rundown as far as I can remember:

We started out heading to Arizona at a ridiculously early hour on Monday, July 5th.  I was pleasantly surprised that my sister actually came over before we left so that she could say goodbye.  I thought that was sweet, and felt like a smaller person when I realized that I would not have done the same for her.

Arizona turned out to be our favorite state.  We only made it to the grand canyon the first day, but there was plenty nice to look at while we were there.  It seems like the kind of place better appreciated with a backpack, a raft, and plenty of sunscreen.  I'll go back and do it right some day.  We had booked a hotel on the eastern rim.  Niether of us had any clue just how far that was.  Luckily, the drive was beautiful, and the view from our room was nice.  Unfortunately, we were staying in "dry" area, and the restaraunt was the only game in town, so the food was pretty aweful.  Somewhere around this point we decided that my car should be named Betty, and so she became, complete with her name on a keychain.

On day 2 we took several detours, whiling away our morning at the meteor crater and Painted Desert/Petrified Forest.  They were pretty cool, and we both enjoyed Arizona immensly.  Some time around noon we made it to New Mexico, and the fun stopped there.  I became convinced that the entire state was being repaved that day.  It was definitely a beautiful drive, but it seemed never ending.  It got bad enough that we actually rejoiced to be crossing over into Texas, and out of the black hole of cell phone reception.  We checked in to our slightly scary motel in Amarillo and went in search of food.  That actually ended a lot better than it had in Arizona once we found Mardi Gras themed restaraunt.  We were happy to be in Texas because we knew we'd be able to get beer, and the world smiled.

On day 3 we crossed into Oklahoma.  Thinking of the musical to which I knew none of the words, I texted some friends that I had the urge to break into song.  I was made aware of the differences in my friends when Kelly replied that I should sing to my heart's desire, and Dave and Steve replied with snide remarks relating to the fact that I can't sing.  We stopped in Oklahoma City for the obligatory visit to the monument, which was rather powerful and well done.  However, seeing the fence where visitors had left tributes and photographs I was reminded just how much I hate people.  OKC was capped off with a terrible and overpriced lunch.  We then got the hell out of that town as quickly as Betty could carry us. 

Later that day, when we expected to be crossing state lines, we entered an alternate universe isntead.  This was a universe called "Arkansas", and I hope never to return.  Arkansas was really an introduction to the south, and it was the worst of what I saw.  The food was bad, the drivers were bad, the police were bad, and roads were all under construction.  By the time we crossed into Tennessee we were flipping off the state behind us.  It even brought Aunt Mary to cussing, and you know that's bad.  Our motto became "Arkansas can kiss my ass!"  Not too creative, but fitting none the less.

The real event of day three was Memphis.  My friend Denise is currently attending grad school there, and she had honestly fallen off the face of the earth as a result.  Well, I actually managed to get in touch with her and we went out drinking.  I was reminded of why I love that girl.  Every time I talk to old friends I don't see very frequently, I'm amazed at the parallels in our lives and those of all our friends.  We're all growing up and adjusting to adulthood.  And that's just weird.  I think that Denise was most tripped out by how short my hair is now, because it signaled to her a certain degree of change.  I'm not the same person she knew from high school, and by the same logic, niether is she.

Day 4 we learned the we like Chatanooga.  It had an overgrown college town feel, complete with vegetarian restaruant.  It honestly reminded me of California.  We had a good lunch, and then continued on our way.  That was a long hard day of driving to make it Savannah.  There was just as much roadwork as we'd seen elsewhere, and hills thrown in to boot.  Basically, Tennessee was grand, and then Georgia was just ok.  The sidebar to be made here is that I have no idea what the southern fixation is with fireworks.  They were everywhere, almost as ubiquitous as the Waffle House.

So we rolled into Savannah some time that evening and found our way to the hotel. As usual, we were tired and crabby, so we went for dinner and drinks.  This was punctuated by a drunken military man criticizing my choice in drinks and having me try his...  Interesting.  Anyway, more later.